A £2m project to transform the Medlock Valley in east Manchester was selected as the winner in the area-based regeneration category and received a commendation in the community category of the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) waterways renaissance awards last week.

The Medlock Valley project has improved the 225 acres of public open space alongside the river from Newton Heath through Clayton, Beswick and Ancoats to the city centre.

The project is a partnership between Manchester city council , New East Manchester , the NWDA , Groundwork , the Environment Agency , Red Rose Forest and the local community.